Breathingbook

Greetings! Seeing as there’s so many mentions of angels within the first and second chapters of Hebrews, I want to point out a few things about the words used for “angel” (in both the Hebrew and Greek) before moving forward.

In short, the same Hebrew or Greek words used for angel are also used for “messenger, pastor, ambassador, king, teacher, etc.,” and can refer to both heavenly or human beings. Please look closely at the definitions below and you’ll see what I mean.

H4397. mal’ak, mal-awk’; from an unused root meaning to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher):–ambassador, angel, king, messenger.

G32. aggelos, ang’-el-os; from aggello [probably derivative from G71; compare G34] (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel“; by implication a pastor:–angel, messenger.

In other words, there usually isn’t one, clear-cut, specific word to word translation from Hebrew “mal’ak” or Greek “aggelos” into English and the deciding factors are always the way the word was written in the original language and the context of that scripture.

The context of scripture is who wrote it, what’s written both before and after what you’re looking at (apply some breadth here), what’s being talking about and are there any references (“Key Words or Phrases“) to other scriptures?

You always have to look at the Bible as whole for understanding.

Thus, when you see the terms “angel, messenger, pastor, or ambassador, king, teacher, etc., consider these things and, if you can, see what the original Hebrew or Greek words are that lie behind the text.

Don’t just assume it means the same thing as it did in some other scripture.

More specifically, when you find the Hebrew word “mal’ak” or the Greek word “aggelos” used, look closely at the surrounding context of scripture and determine one of three possible meanings:

1. Are they “heavenly” beings (good or fallen),
2. “human” beings (also good or fallen), or
3. are they referring to both “heavenly and human” beings by inference.

In other words, since the original definitions of these words show that they can mean “heavenly” or “human” messengers, or both, then one must consider the context to decide which of the meanings apply.

For example, consider Gen 28:12, where Jacob dreamed of angels ascending and descending upon a great ladder into heaven.

Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels (mal’ak) of God ascending and descending on it.

In this context, “mal’ak” describes true and good “heavenly” angels.

The Hebrew word “mal’ak” (used in the OT) describes one “dispatched as a deputy or messenger.”

H4397. mal’ak, mal-awk’; from an unused root meaning to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher):–ambassador, angel, king, messenger.

Notice how the definition specifies that when a dispatch is “specifically of God,” the messenger would be an angel, prophet, priest or teacher.

Also, this word has been translated as an ambassador or king.

This means is a “mal’ak” may be dispatched by God or someone else.

For example, Gen 32:3 uses the same Hebrew “mal’ak” when describing when Jacob sent “messengers” before himself to his brother Esau.

Gen 32:3 And Jacob sent messengers (mal’ak) before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

In Gen 32:3 the “messengers” were men and not angels.

A similar situation occurs in Num 20:14 when the prophet Moses sent out “messengers” (mal’ak) to the king of Edom.

Num 20:14 And Moses sent messengers (mal’ak) from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us.

Again, these were men and not angels.

This same usage continues in the New Testament, where the Greek word for angel is “aggelos.” “Aggelos” also describes both heavenly angels (Lk 22:42-43) and humans (Lk 7:28).

For example, in Lk 22:42-43, Jesus is praying to the Father and “aggelos” appear to Him “from heaven.”

Lk 22:42-43 Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel (aggelos) unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

In this situation, the “aggelos” were good angels from heaven.

The Greek word “aggelos” means one that brings “tidings; a messenger; especially an “angel;” by implication a pastor.”

G32. aggelos, ang’-el-os; from aggello [probably derivative from G71; compare G34] (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel“; by implication a pastor:–angel, messenger.

Again, who is doing the “sending” is important in determining the proper usage of the word.

In another example, we see Jesus using “aggelos” to describe John the Baptist’s role as the “messenger” preparing His way before His face (Mat 11:10-11; Mal 3:1-5; Mal 4:5-6).

Mat 11:10-11 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger (aggelos) before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And “aggelos” is also used in Lk 7:24 in reference to the “messengers” John the Baptist sent to ask Jesus if He was the one “that should come” or should they look for anther?

If you look at the context of this scripture, specifically Lk 7:19, clearly the “messengers” were two of John’s own disciples.

Lk 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou He that should come? Or look we for another?

Lk 7:24 And when the messengers (aggelos) of John were departed, He began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Moreover, Satan (who is “Lucifer,” “fallen from heaven”) is a “fallen” angel (Isa 14:12-15). Not only that, but other “fallen” angels follow and serve him (Ezek 28:14; Rev 9:11; Rev 12:7-9).

2 Cor 11:14 tells us Satan is able to transform himself into an “angel” (or “aggelos“) of “light.”

2 Cor 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel (aggelos) of light.

And 2 Cor 12:7 uses “aggelos” to describe an evil “messenger” sent out “of Satan” to “buffet” Paul.

2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger (aggelos) of Satan to buffet (Gk. kolaphizo) me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

G2852. kolaphizo, kol-af-id’-zo; from a derivative of the base of G2849; to rap with the fist:–buffet.

Paul also warns us that if any man or angel from heaven preaches a different gospel to us than the one he and the other Apostles have preached, they are to be accursed.

Gal 1:8-9 But though we, or an angel (aggelos) from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

So, it’s very important to determine who’s doing the sending of these messengers and one way is to take a look at what they say.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no Light in them.

And finally, in our study in the letter to the Hebrews, where in the first and second chapters there are many mentions of angels, you’ll see most of them are speaking about heavenly angels, but also realize as far as Jesus’ superiority to any “angel (heavenly or human) goes, Jesus Christ is comprehensively superior to all in every way.

Heb 1:4-7 Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? 6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him. 7 And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

Heb 1:13-14 But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Peace out!
Loris Anne James